No. 1, 2012
Transcription
No. 1, 2012
No. 1, 2012 The Child Survival Revolution 2.0 CHAIR AND PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE A MESSAGE FROM THE U.S. FUND BOARD CHAIR AND PRESIDENT Dear Friend of UNICEF, You were there for children imperiled by the nutrition crisis in the Horn of Africa, and your generosity is making a critical difference. In February, the UN declared southern Somalia famine-free, but a severe humanitarian emergency persists there and throughout the Horn of Africa. More than 300,000 children remain acutely malnourished. Without continued vigilance, hard-won gains could be erased. What you may not know is that another major food crisis is now unfolding in a different part of Africa (see story on page 4). More than 1 million children face severe acute malnutrition in eight countries in western and central Africa, including Chad and Niger. One key lesson we learned from the Horn is that an early response is essential: if we act in time, we can help avert a large-scale loss of life. No child should die from hunger-related causes in the year 2012. This alarming situation is among the dozens of “silent emergencies” that UNICEF is responding to around the world — quiet calamities both natural and human-made that do not get the media spotlight of “loud” events like earthquakes or tsunamis. This includes the deaths of millions of children every year from preventable diseases and malnutrition — what former UNICEF Executive Director James P. Grant called the “global silent emergency.” As an invaluable partner, you have helped us make truly remarkable progress in the fight for child survival. Over the last four decades, the number of under-five child deaths has dropped by more than half. Now, UNICEF is at a pivotal juncture. New interventions and a concerted push to reach the poorest of the poor, combined with lessons from the groundbreaking “Child Survival Revolution” of the 1980s, could potentially save millions more lives within the next generation (see page 10). We will be discussing recent gains as well as exciting new opportunities at the U.S. Fund for UNICEF Annual Meeting on May 3 and 4 in New York City, and we hope to see you there. Thank you for helping UNICEF respond to emergencies both loud and silent. Anthony Pantaleoni Board Chair Caryl M. Stern President and CEO P.S. Great news! The U.S. Fund recently earned its seventh consecutive 4-star rating from Charity Navigator, ranking it among the top 2 percent of charities reviewed by this esteemed organization. U.S. Fund for UNICEF IN THIS ISSUE 6–8 Inside the U.S. Fund 9 Donor Activities at Home and Abroad On the Cover: A health worker measures the arm of a malnourished child in Niger. Even in good years, child malnutrition rates in Niger are alarmingly high. UNICEF is working to strengthen the capacity of the country’s health system to fight malnutrition. 10–13 Feature: The Child Survival Revolution 2.0 2–5 UNICEF in the Field U.S. Fund for UNICEF Board of Directors Honorary Co-Chairs George H.W. Bush Jimmy Carter William J. Clinton Chair Emeritus Hugh Downs Chair Anthony Pantaleoni Vice Chair Peter Lamm President Caryl M. Stern Secretary Gary M. Cohen Treasurer Edward G. Lloyd Honorary Directors Susan V. Berresford James H. Carey Marvin J. Girouard Anthony Lake John C. Whitehead Honorary Members Joy Greenhouse Helen G. Jacobson Susan C. McKeever Lester Wunderman Directors Andrew D. Beer Daniel J. Brutto 14–15 Partner Profiles Why I Give: Willow Shire and Carrie Rhodes 16 Audrey Hepburn Society Update Produced by the Department of Editorial and Creative Services Nelson Chai Gary M. Cohen Mary Callahan Erdoes Pamela Fiori Dolores Rice Gahan, D.O. Bruce Scott Gordon Hilary Gumbel Vincent John Hemmer Franklin Hobbs Peter Lamm Téa Leoni Bob Manoukian Anthony Pantaleoni Amy L. Robbins Henry S. Schleiff Kathi P. Seifert Caryl M. Stern Jim Walton Sherrie Rollins Westin Executive Editor Mia Drake Brandt Managing Editor Adam Fifield Copyright © 2012 U.S. Fund for UNICEF. All rights reserved. Art Director Rachael Bruno Contributing Editor Michael Sandler Contributing Editor Eileen Coppola Designer Melissa Axelrod Every Child No. 1, 2012 1 UNICEF IN THE FIELD EMERGENCIES UPDATE HAITI On the second anniversary of Haiti’s calamitous 2010 earthquake, the country remains fragile, chronically beset by poverty and underdevelopment, but showing some measurable signs of progress. UNICEF marked the anniversary by releasing Children of Haiti: Two Years After, reviewing UNICEF’s role in the ongoing recovery process and its commitment to keeping Haiti’s 4.3 million children safe, healthy, and educated. Highlights: Sanitation—distributing cholera prevention supplies for 2.2 million people; helping to open Port-au-Prince’s first dedicated human waste treatment site. Health and nutrition—screening 393,000 children and treating 15,300 for acute malnutrition; providing nutrition and breastfeeding counseling for a half-million mothers and babies. Child safety—registering 8,780 unaccompanied children and reunifying 2,770 with their families. Education—building 193 earthquake-safe schools for 80,000 children; distributing learning materials for 750,000 children (never before have so many Haitian children received educational materials). Significant challenges remain. 550,000 displaced persons, among Haiti’s most vulnerable, still shelter in 800 crowded sites. The cholera epidemic continues, infecting 496,337 people to date. Still, as Françoise Gruloos-Ackermans, UNICEF’s Haiti representative, notes, “There is evidence of little victories everywhere.” To learn more, please visit unicefusa.org/haiti. PAKISTAN Severe monsoon flooding in August and September revisited Pakistan’s Sindh province, affecting 5 million people, displacing nearly 2 million, and damaging two-thirds of the province’s schools. A region and people still recovering from the previous year’s disaster were devastated, and UNICEF’s response was massive: 800,000 people received clean drinking water; 1.2 million people received instruction in proper hygiene; 416,000 people were provided with temporary latrines; 300,000 children were screened for treatment in therapeutic and supplementary feeding programs, and 78,000 children attended classes at over 1,500 temporary learning centers. The displaced are gradually returning home, but a funding shortfall remains, and UNICEF urgently requires donations to cover the continuing needs of Sindh’s children and women. SOUTHEAST ASIA This fall, widespread flooding disrupted 8 million lives in Southeast Asia. In Cambodia and Vietnam, UNICEF provided nearly 1.5 million water purification tablets, ceramic water filters, and drowning-prevention aids, like floating bags and life vests. In Thailand, hit by the worst flooding in decades, UNICEF distributed 350,000 water, sanitation, and hygiene items, 20,000 insecticide-treated mosquito nets, and 2,500 School-in-a-Box kits — helping nearly 100,000 students resume their studies while flood-damaged schools were repaired. 2 U.S. Fund for UNICEF UNICEF IN THE FIELD MAJOR ADVANCES IN ELIMINATING TETANUS The global fight against maternal and women who are at the greatest risk of neonatal tetanus (MNT) has gained contracting tetanus during labor and significant ground as three West African delivery. Kiwanis is mobilizing its nearly countries, Ghana, Liberia, and Senegal, 600,000 members around the globe to help celebrate the recent elimination of this wipe out this cruel disease. lethal, centuries-old disease. Tetanus strikes when tetanus spores, The result of successive immunization campaigns carried out by found in soil everywhere, enter the body national during the birthing process and attack governments and supported by UNICEF the central nervous system. The disease and other partners, these important is almost always fatal for newborns who victories bring the total number of suffer excruciating pain and convulsions. countries that have eliminated MNT since Neonatal tetanus kills around 60,000 2000 to 23. The disease now remains a newborns each year; a significant number lethal threat in 36 countries. of women succumb to maternal tetanus every year. They can tell you where every vial of vaccine is, who has been vaccinated, who hasn’t, and what villages they need to go into. Several members of Kiwanis villages they need to go into.” International recently participated in a Kiwanis clubs all over the world field visit to Sierra Leone to witness the have embraced The Eliminate Project, third round of a UNICEF-supported enthusiastically tetanus immunization campaign. The awareness about this often overlooked group met mothers and children, visited global a hospital and local health clinics, and Kiwanis Middle School Builders Club in accompanied vaccinators as they went Jamestown, North Carolina, exceeded door-to-door in remote villages. their fundraising goal for The Eliminate health raising crisis. funds This fall, and the “The thing that amazed me most is Project, generating $1,250. In Bradenton, how hands-on UNICEF is,” says Mary Florida, the Bradenton Christian School’s This welcome news comes as Kiwanis Langdon, International Key Club recently organized a “Ping Pong International is ramping up its global Foundation trustee who took part in the to Eliminate” tournament, raising $350 for campaign to fight MNT in collaboration trip and who, with her husband Dick, the campaign. with UNICEF and other organizations. recently made a $100,000 contribution to In January, UNICEF Deputy Executive The Eliminate Project aims to raise $110 The Eliminate Project. “They can tell you Director Geeta Rao Gupta spoke about million to enable UNICEF and its partners where every vial of vaccine is, who has the fight against tetanus at the Kiwanis to immunize more than 100 million been vaccinated, who hasn’t, and what International Council 2012, a convening a Kiwanis of Kiwanis International leaders. Dr. Rao Gupta said that the ambitious goal of eliminating this terrible disease is within reach and that members of Kiwanis International will be key partners in providing the crucial final push. To learn more, please visit unicefusa.org/ tetanus. Every Child No. 1, 2012 3 UNICEF IN THE FIELD NUTRITION CRISES: As UNICEF Continues to Save the Lives of Malnourished Inside one of the small white tents that Somalia nestle between the bullet-pocked walls assistance of ruined Mogadishu buildings, a dozen thousands of lives. famine-free. had saved Humanitarian UNICEF is urging the international hundreds community to take the early indicators of seriously — one lesson of the Horn’s Somali children skip rope and laugh. The emergency is by no means over, Outside the tent, more children gleefully and a serious food crisis still exists. The scramble for a soccer ball. In all, about death rate among young children in UNICEF played a key role in the 200 children enjoy the resources of this Mogadishu’s camps remains high, and ongoing international response in the UNICEF-supported child-friendly space, over 300,000 Somali children are acutely Horn, making safe water available to a handful of the 36,900 who use 354 such malnourished — most in southern 2.2 million people, radically scaling centers around the country. The children Somalia, up receive desperately needed access to clean makes gaining safe access ever more where accelerating conflict water, nutritious snacks, health referrals, and literacy classes, but their playtime is key. It helps relieve the traumatizing stress of a crisis that has engulfed their lives and fractured communities across the Horn of Africa. In July 2011, famine was declared, and at its peak the Horn’s worst drought crisis in 60 years affected 13 million people in Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, and Djibouti. — and avert a massive humanitarian catastrophe. existing interventions, health and and nutrition introducing new programs as well. In Somalia — where Let’s make no mistake about this ongoing situation — children’s lives are still in imminent danger. But by November, the United Nations 4 famine UNICEF has worked without pause since 1972 and is uniquely positioned with a network of 120 partners — support was doubled at 500 centers treating malnutrition. In Ethiopia — where the need for food assistance surged by 42 percent — over 115,000 severely malnourished children were admitted into UNICEF-supported therapeutic feeding programs. In Kenya, 100,000 Food Security and Nutrition Analysis challenging. And ominously, UNICEF children Unit (FSNAU) announced that famine is now warning of a new food crisis in or therapeutic feeding, and services had been beaten in three of six districts a neighboring region called the Sahel. increased for the nearly half-million in Somalia — the hardest-hit country — One million children under five will people in Dadaab, a refugee camp swollen and that the number of people at risk need lifesaving treatment for severe beyond its 90,000-person capacity. of imminent starvation had dropped acute malnutrition in this vast region, Meeting staggering survival needs from 750,000 to 250,000. Then, in early which spans a huge swath of West and in the conflict-ridden Horn—already February, the UN declared southern Central Africa from Senegal to Nigeria. one of the world’s most volatile aid U.S. Fund for UNICEF received supplementary UNICEF IN THE FIELD Children in the Horn of Africa, Another Dire Food Crisis Is Unfolding Nearby environments—brought daunting logistical challenges, but between July and October alone, UNICEF delivered nearly 10,000 metric tons of essential supplies. November’s opening of a new Dubai transit hub allowed UNICEF to route supplies straight to Mogadishu, bypassing Kenya’s congested Mombasa port. Meanwhile, disease continues to be famine’s deadly companion— severely malnourished children are nine times as likely to die from infectious diseases—and UNICEF supported broad vaccination campaigns to prevent a wave of deaths. In Ethiopia, 5.6 million children were vaccinated against measles, in Somalia, nearly 1.5 million. In Kenya, UNICEF trained vaccinators and procured vaccines for the government’s anti-polio campaign. In Djibouti, UNICEF helped immunize 100,000 children against both diseases. Despite the impact of these efforts, continued assistance is needed to keep the Horn of Africa from backsliding and the Sahel from sliding into catastrophe. “Let’s make no mistake about this ongoing situation — children’s lives are still in imminent danger. “ says UNICEF Somalia Representative Sikander Khan. To support UNICEF’s response in the Sahel, please visit unicefusa.org/sahel. U.S. FUND SUPPORTERS HELP FIGHT FAMINE U.S. Fund donors and partners have contributed more than $16 million to support UNICEF’s urgent relief efforts in the Horn of Africa. The funds have enabled UNICEF to provide therapeutic foods and other aid critical to the survival of acutely malnourished children. After famine was declared in July, UNICEF called on the air transport industry to provide cargo space for desperately needed aid. Longstanding U.S. Fund partner UPS had already sprung into action before the appeal, providing funds and inkind assistance to UNICEF in support of a charter flight filled with 24 metric tons of supplies. Over the next few weeks, UPS continued to ship 110 metric tons of therapeutic food to help humanitarian organizations, including UNICEF. One UPS flight in November carried emergency items that had been packed at UNICEF’s emergency supply warehouse in Copenhagen with help from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. The royal couple made a special visit to help raise much-needed awareness about the life-and-death crisis. The supplies were delivered to children in the region. U.S. Fund President and CEO Caryl M. Stern and National Board Vice Chair Peter Lamm also traveled to the Horn in support of this mission and met children being treated at UNICEF-supported feeding centers in Kenya. The George Harrison Fund for UNICEF, founded by Olivia Harrison, the wife of the late George Harrison, contributed over $1.2 million to support UNICEF’s response to the crisis. During a “Month of Giving” in August, more than 70 musicians paid tribute to George Harrison, Ravi Shankar, and their iconic 1971 Concert for Bangladesh, by asking friends to help those suffering in the Horn of Africa. All donations to the George Harrison Fund for UNICEF during the “Month of Giving” were dedicated to UNICEF’s relief operations there. Every Child No. 1, 2012 5 INSIDE THE U.S. FUND THE UNICEF BRIDGE FUND: A New Way To Save Lives When UNICEF identifies a time-sensitive Fund provides UNICEF’s Supply Division ment made through its Social Investment need for an essential supply — anti-malar- with cash to bridge procurement costs un- Program. “We were impressed with the ial mosquito nets before a rainy season’s til regular payments become available. level of social impact the Bridge Fund’s onset, a critical medicine in short sup- Established in 2011 by the U.S. Fund innovative revolving pool model makes ply, or a vaccine to prevent an epidemic’s for UNICEF, the Bridge Fund consists of possible,” says Ommeed Sathe, vice presi- spread — the call goes out for funding. At investors including foundations, corpora- dent, Social Investment Program at Pru- UNICEF’s Copenhagen warehouse and tions, and financial institutions, as well as dential. “By deploying funds as needed its five global supply hubs, available com- individual philanthropists. Investors fund which are then replenished through regu- modities are readied for shipment. But net worth grants, below-market-rate loans, lar funding sources, Prudential’s capital is despite its track record for rapid and ef- and guarantees—creating a pool of cash used several times over the term of the in- fective response, UNICEF is always look- that helps essential goods reach children vestment to help UNICEF deliver critical ing for ways to further speed the delivery of critical materials to vulnerable children and families. The Bridge Fund is the U. S. Fund for UNICEF’s new, innovative financial tool for streamlining that process. The Bridge Fund provides UNICEF’s Supply Division with a flexible mechanism to reduce or eliminate gaps between the moment a critical need for supplies is identified and when funding becomes services such as vaccines and mosquito It’s a win-win scenario for investors, UNICEF, and most importantly, the world’s vulnerable children. available. The UNICEF Supply Division 6 nets much more quickly.” The process: The UNICEF Supply Division submits a funding request to Bridge Fund management. The Bridge Fund makes sure the request meets the threshold for prudent, high-impact use of funds. Then, the Bridge Fund’s Board rapidly evaluates this underwriting assessment to decide whether to release the funds. If the Supply Division request is procures $2 billion worth of supplies and in need as quickly as possible. An added approved, a grant is provided. Finally, equipment annually, and while UNICEF’s benefit—rapidly obtaining more flexible commitments are secured from global global funders eventually pay for these funding allows the Supply Division to se- funders of UNICEF’s work to replenish goods, obtaining these funds can some- cure better pricing for materials and reduce the Fund’s capital at a clear point in the times take weeks or months. Cash flow shipping costs, freeing up more money to future. It’s a win-win scenario for inves- gaps and procurement hurdles arise be- spend on vital commodities. tors, UNICEF, and most importantly, the cause UNICEF’s governing Board prohib- Prudential Financial, Inc. became the its the organization from taking on loan first corporation to support the Bridge obligations to fund its work. The Bridge Fund with a five-year, $7.5 million invest- U.S. Fund for UNICEF world’s vulnerable children. For more information, please visit unicefusa.org/bridgefund. INSIDE THE U.S. FUND THE UNICEF EXPERIENCE “The UNICEF Experience,” a lively inter- tries face on a daily basis. active exhibit that showcases UNICEF’s For example, guests can global programs, premiered in Atlanta try carrying heavy buck- in May 2011, raising nearly half a million ets of water like those dollars. This year, the installation was on hauled for miles by girls display in Dallas-Fort Worth at The Goss- and women who have Michael Foundation from February 25 to to fetch water every day. March 3. The UNICEF Experience will re- They can also learn how turn to Atlanta on April 29 with an inter- little it costs to keep chil- active event in the Georgia Public Broad- dren from dying of pre- casting Studios. ventable causes through The exhibit includes photos and vid- immunizations, clean eos, personal stories about children who drinking water, and sani- have benefited from innovative UNICEF tation. programs, and samples of actual UNICEF Guests will be able to field supplies, including medical tents support UNICEF’s work and School-in-a-Box kits that make it pos- in a variety of ways: by contributing to and by attending the exhibit launch party sible to set up a temporary classroom any- a “wishing well” that supplies water in Atlanta on Sunday, April 29 at Georgia where following a disaster. pumps to the countries and communities Public Broadcasting. The event offers the opportunity for a that are most in need of safe water sourc- hands-on experience of some of the con- es; by shopping for Inspired Gifts such ditions that children in developing coun- as first aid kits and high-protein biscuits; TWO REMARKABLE EVENINGS At New York’s Snowflake Ball on November 29, Cipriani 42nd Street was cloaked in a half-mile of billowing mosquito netting donated by Vestergaard Frandsen and designed by UNICEF Ambassador Vern Yip of HGTV. Hosted by Bravo’s Andy Cohen, the event raised $2 million to help UNICEF provide lifesaving relief for impoverished children. Ken Hayami, Executive Director of the Japan Committee for UNICEF, accepted the Audrey Hepburn Humanitarian Award on behalf of staff members who fearlessly responded to the catastrophic earthquake in Japan last year. U.S. Fund partner Prudential Financial, Inc. was honored with the Spirit of Compassion Award, in part, for being the first corporation to step up to the line in a new, lifesaving U.S. Fund initiative called the UNICEF Bridge Fund (see more on page 6). At the Beverly Wilshire in Los Angeles on December 8, the UNICEF Ball generated more than $1.3 million. Queen Noor of Jordan was recognized as a Woman of Compassion, and the Medavoy family — Mike, Irena, and Nick — was honored for its service to children with UNICEF’s prestigious Danny Kaye Humanitarian Award. Every Child No. 1, 2012 7 INSIDE THE U.S. FUND WAYS TO GET INVOLVED THIS SPRING: GIVE AN INSPIRED GIFT For Mother’s Day, birthdays, or other special occasions, this is a wonderful way to dedicate a gift and help save children’s lives. Visit inspiredgifts.org. THE AUDREY HEPBURN SOCIETY To learn about the U.S. Fund for UNICEF’s new recognition program for individual donors, please visit unicefusa.org/audreyhepburnsociety. You can also read the story on page 16. UPCOMING SPECIAL EVENTS UNICEF WORLD BALL Saturday, March 31, Houston (Hosted by Dominique Sachse and Honoring Nidhika and Pershant Mehta) UNICEF MESSAGE OF HOPE GALA Saturday, April 28, Chicago THE UNICEF EXPERIENCE Sunday, April 29, Atlanta U.S. FUND FOR UNICEF ANNUAL MEETING Thursday and Friday, May 3 - 4, New York For more information or tickets, contact Jennifer Lopez at 212-880-9131 or [email protected]. THE POWER OF A GLASS OF WATER Now in its sixth year, the UNICEF Tap Project is based on a simple premise: when you take water, give water. During World Water Week, March 19–25, participating restaurants nationwide encouraged customers to donate $1 or more for the glass of water they usually enjoy for free. The U.S. Fund was delighted to welcome back Giorgio Armani Fragrances for the third year as the campaign’s National Sponsor through its Acqua for Life campaign. All funds raised through the 2012 UNICEF Tap Project will support UNICEF’s safe drinking water and sanitation programs in Cameroon, Mauritania, Togo, and Vietnam. To learn more, please visit UNICEFTapProject.org. (INSIDE THE U.S. FUND continued on page 16) 8 U.S. Fund for UNICEF WHEN YOU TAKE WATER, GIVE WATER. National Sponsor DONOR ACTIVITIES AT HOME AND ABROAD U.S. Fund President and CEO Caryl M. Stern and U.S. Fund National Board Chair Anthony Pantaleoni on a recent visit to a remote feeding center in Haiti. UNICEF Children’s Champion Award Dinner Co-Chairs Barrie Landry, Elaine Sager, and Alli Achtmeyer at the October 20 event honoring Sting and Trudie Styler in Boston. Attending the 2011 Snowflake Ball were (l.–r.): Debra Shriver; Deborah Lamm; U.S. Fund National Board members Sherrie Rollins Westin and Hilary Gumbel; Charlotte Moss; Christine Stonbely; Eleanora Kennedy; UNICEF Ambassador Dayle Haddon; U.S. Fund President and CEO Caryl M. Stern; and Gillian Miniter. On an Eliminate Project field visit to Sierra Leone, Key Club International member Sophia Bird and her grandmother, Kiwanis International member Linda Christiano, admire a beautiful baby while the baby’s mother and UNICEF Sierra Leone’s Angela Griep look on. UNICEF’s Next Generation members Brian Barrow, Bettina Barrow, and Danielle Abraham with children on a Next Generation field visit to Ethiopia. Kirill Tatarinov, founding member of the U.S. Fund’s Seattle Advisory Council, and Oksana Tatarinov at an Eliminate Project reception in Seattle. Every Child No. 1, 2012 9 FEATURE The Child Survival Revolution 2.0 By Adam Fifield T hirty years ago, former UNICEF Executive Director James P. Grant launched what would become known as the “Child Survival and Development Revolution.” The bold and unprecedented effort, involving a diverse coalition of supporters and partners from all over the world, saved 25 million young lives and spared millions more the misery of severe disability. Elevating the cause of children’s well-being to historic heights, the ambitious campaign also forever changed the face of global health and demonstrated the amazing potential of international development. 10 U.S. Fund for UNICEF Now, a second child survival revolution poverty-related causes a “global silent non-governmental organizations, civil is taking shape, claims UNICEF’s Chief of emergency.” A longtime champion of the servants and community leaders, and not Health Dr. Mickey Chopra. “We are on the poor with the zeal of a preacher, Grant least, mothers and children. cusp of achieving something equivalent to noted that these deaths did not land in Immunization against killer childhood putting a man on the moon,” he says. the headlines or on the evening news. “If diseases like measles and polio became The fight against child mortality has more than 100 jumbo jets filled with chil- the vanguard. Huge vaccination drives seen marked progress, thanks to the work dren crashed every day, there would be carried out by national governments and of UNICEF and its partners. Since 1970, an outrage,” he once said. “But that is the supported by UNICEF, the World Health global under-five deaths have fallen by number of children who are dying every Organization, and many other partners more than 54 percent. During the 15 years day of starvation and disease.” began sweeping across the develop- of the Jim Grant era, between 1980 and To attack the “silent emergency,” Grant ing world, from Colombia to Turkey to 1995, this number dropped from 13.2 mil- worked with a team of UNICEF veterans Senegal to dozens of other countries. lion to 10.7 million — even though the and other experts, including American UNICEF helped broker historic cease- population of all children under five in the pediatrician Dr. Jon Rohde, to devise a fires in war-torn countries, so that even developing world surged by 19 percent strategy that would save the maximum children in conflict zones could be im- over the same period of time. Since then, number of lives. What they came up with munized. In the mere span of ten years, worldwide under-five deaths have plum- in the fall of 1982 was a mix of four simple between 1980 and 1990, the worldwide meted to 7.6 million, and in recent years, and inexpensive interventions: growth immunization rate nearly quadrupled, the rate of decline in under-five mortality monitoring to halt malnutrition, oral rehy- jumping from 20 percent to around 80 has accelerated. Still, 21,000 children die dration therapy to combat deadly diarrhe- percent. every day from preventable causes. al dehydration, breastfeeding promotion, Jim Grant died in 1995, but many of Now, says Chopra, by combining les- and immunization. Known as GOBI, this the lessons from his child survival revolu- sons learned from the first child survival small package packed a huge punch. Ad- tion still resonate today and are evident revolution with powerful new interven- ditional programs like food supplementa- in UNICEF’s present work. Among them: tions and a concerted push to reach the tion and the promotion of female educa- set measurable, specific goals; commu- poorest of the poor, UNICEF and its part- tion were added later. nicate using simple, powerful messages; ners can capitalize on recent gains and These interventions existed long be- and make sure to generate and sustain perhaps save millions more lives within fore Grant came to UNICEF, but they political will and commitment. “Jim the next generation. had not yet been put to widespread use. Grant showed political leaders and lead- Grant changed that, in part, by unleash- ers of civil society and the private sector Learning from the First Child Survival Revolution ing a barrage of diplomacy and social how this package of interventions could mobilization. As a result, UNICEF was be used to transform the lives of women able to build an influential movement — and children, and how this was really im- In 1980, when Grant took over as the a “grand alliance for children” as Grant portant for the future growth and devel- head of UNICEF, more than 36,000 chil- put it — of presidents and prime minis- opment of their countries,” says Chopra. dren under the age of five were dying ters, religious leaders and military gen- “Today, the challenge remains one of get- every day. He dubbed this appalling erals, donors and volunteers, students ting the attention and the priority given to mass loss of life to mostly preventable, and teachers, private companies and the welfare of women and children.” Every Child No. 1, 2012 11 FEATURE Current UNICEF Executive Director An- immunization systems to make the most of thony Lake is determined to do just that, says new vaccines, as well as old ones. “Building Chopra. “It is a very exciting time to be at and strengthening the infrastructure to deliver UNICEF,” he adds. vaccines is more critical than it’s ever been before, because of the potential payback we can The Way Forward get in terms of lives saved and better development for children,” Chopra says. UNICEF now has more weapons at its Immunization is also a pivotal part of disposal in the fight against child mortal- UNICEF’s “equity” strategy — a global drive ity. New vaccines against pneumonia and to reach the poorest and most disadvantaged diarrhea, new antiretroviral drugs to stem children. By explicitly targeting the lowest- the toll of HIV/AIDS, and new delivery income, highest-mortality communities and approaches have enhanced and broadened countries first, UNICEF and its partners can UNICEF’s ability to counter the gravest reach the unreached and get lifesaving aid threats to children, says Chopra. to children who need it most. Much of the As in the first child survival revolution, equity push will occur in sub-Saharan Africa immunization is key. In 2010, UNICEF pro- and South Asia, which are home to the highest cured 2.5 billion doses of vaccine — enough child mortality rates in the world. to immunize 58 percent of the world’s chil- Equity is at the heart of the second child dren. Yet despite major progress over the survival revolution and, coupled with new last few decades, 20 percent of the world’s vaccines and technologies, has created a children remain unvaccinated. UNICEF aims monumental opportunity. “We can make a big to help bridge the immunization gap by sig- jump forward,” says Chopra. nificantly expanding its vaccination program And as with the first child survival revo- and tripling its capacity over the next five lution three decades ago, it will not just be years. “Immunization has always enabled us UNICEF alone. It will be another “grand alli- to meet the needs of the poorest and needi- ance” — a potent movement of donors, cor- est first and has also allowed us to be on the porations, foundations, and volunteers; of verge of eradicating polio,” says Chopra. students and teachers; of health workers, civil In addition to the recently developed vac- servants, and community leaders; of children cines for pneumonia and diarrhea, a new vac- and their families; of people all over the world cine for malaria is expected shortly. UNICEF who commit to fight for the survival and is examining ways to improve and update health and future of every child on this Earth. IN 1970, 16.6 MILLION CHILDREN WORLDWIDE WERE DYING BEFORE THEIR FIFTH BIRTHDAY. INCREASE IN GLOBAL POPULATION UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE NUMBER OF DEATHS, CHILDREN UNDER 5 YEARS OF AGE 12 U.S. Fund for UNICEF FEATURE NOW, DESPITE AN INCREASE IN POPULATION, THAT NUMBER HAS BEEN REDUCED BY MORE THAN HALF. 523.7 million 1970 16.6 million 591.2 million 1985 12.8 million 635.8 million 2010 7.6 million = 250,000 children under the age of 5 Every Child No. 1, 2012 13 PARTNER PROFILES WHY I GIVE: WILLOW SHIRE UNICEF taught me about luck. I’ve learned is easily preventable. just how lucky I am to have clean, running But every day, the par- water. Lucky to have a home, food, health ents of 21,000 children care, and opportunities for work. I hadn’t face this outcome even realized how lucky I was until I was intro- when duced to UNICEF. I try to imagine being a are cheap and prob- mother in the Sudan. I try to envision what lems easy to solve. Not it must feel like to have none of these things thinking about this — and to worry if my daughters and sons will as tempting as it may live to see the next day. be — is not an option I would have faced such unthinkable for me. things if I had been born in the Congo in- The solutions opportunity stead of in the United States. And I know to help children and families through but they were healthy and thrilled with that I didn’t “deserve” to be born here — or UNICEF is a gift that I give to myself for their new UNICEF school backpacks. I saw anywhere. I’m just lucky. And because of my birthday every April 15. It is actually UNICEF working with communities and my luck, my children and grandchildren one of the best things I do for myself. In governments, putting in a water pump, are educated and healthy. small ways, it also improves the quality of training teachers, building a health center. my children’s lives. It’s hard for a child in It was clear that UNICEF addresses root my town in Massachusetts to appreciate problems, not just the symptoms. I support UNICEF because no parent should have to watch her daughter suffer, see his son die... 14 the the value of hot running water or hav- Yes, when I traveled with UNICEF to ing a choice of what to eat for breakfast. Madagascar and Bolivia, I expected to see Through my involvement with UNICEF, poverty. But that’s not what I remember. I we’ve learned about the lives of less fortu- remember smiling parents, happy children, nate children, and they think more about and the dedicated, talented, and compas- what we have and less about what we sionate heroes who are the UNICEF staff. don’t have. These women and men, many of whom It’s gratifying to see the impact that are trained as nurses, engineers, teachers, UNICEF has on children. On a UNICEF and doctors, have committed themselves I support UNICEF because no parent field visit to Madagascar in 2008, I met to saving the lives of children. The least I should have to watch her daughter suffer, children who had virtually none of the can do is help. see his son die — especially when the cause things that fill my grandchildren’s rooms, U.S. Fund for UNICEF PARTNER PROFILES WHY I GIVE: CARRIE RHODES baby and bring her into my family. Her name is Dani. I called my grandfather, a neuropathologist, and my family’s pediatrician, and asked them: “What are the lasting effects of tetanus?” Both doctors responded in disbelief. “Tetanus?” My grandfather was a staunch advocate of vaccines, and There’s no reason in the world that anybody should suffer from this preventable disease. it was inconceivable to him that somebody wouldn’t have been immunized caring, and effectiveness, the more im- against tetanus. pressed I was. Last year, I heard about Today, my daughter is a thriving The Eliminate Project, Kiwanis Interna- 15-year-old. She dances and sings. She tional’s global campaign to fight MNT in plays soccer. She is a lucky girl, and I’m collaboration with UNICEF and its part- an extremely lucky mother. Most parents ners. Now, the possibility of putting an of newborns who get neonatal tetanus end to this deadly disease has never been In high school, I did volunteer health never see their children play soccer. Their closer. If all girls and women receive just work in Latin America and got to see sweet babies die. It’s a horrific thing to three doses of the most effective vaccines, what a difference basic health services experience, and it shouldn’t happen. MNT can be wiped out. can make. It was pretty amazing at the There’s no reason in the world that any- Our family has committed a pledge of age of 16 to help vaccinate kids against body should suffer from this preventable $1 million to the U.S. Fund for UNICEF polio, measles, and tetanus. disease. to combat MNT and protect thousands of I didn’t know then that I wanted to be a nurse, but I ultimately became one. About 14 years ago, shortly after I children like Dani. We believe The Elimi- adopted Dani, I received a letter about nate Project is our calling. We cannot find Since then, I’ve had the opportunity UNICEF’s efforts to stop maternal and a better reason to stretch ourselves to to travel all over the world, trying to neonatal tetanus (MNT). I had Trick-or- give and are honored to be a part of this help achieve higher standards of global Treated for UNICEF as a child, and the historic initiative. health. Many of these opportunities al- more I learned about UNICEF’s breadth, lowed me to care for women and children. In China, I worked in a children’s hospital where a nurse introduced me to a beautiful two-month-old baby girl. During childbirth, the nurse believed, the baby’s umbilical cord had been cut with an unsanitary instrument, and she had contracted tetanus. At just ten days old, she had been brought to the hospital with horrible convulsions. She had been unable to eat, her tiny jaw locked tight. Her birth parents had left — probably certain that she would die. As the nurse told me this story, this beautiful baby with big brown eyes smiled up at me. In that moment, I fell in love. I decided to adopt that Every Child No. 1, 2012 15 INSIDE THE U.S. FUND, CONTINUED AN AUSPICIOUS BEGINNING FOR THE AUDREY HEPBURN SOCIETY In December, the U.S. Fund saw a surge in major gifts — an increase stemming, in part, from a new recognition program for individual donors, the Audrey Hepburn Society. This national program for the U.S. Fund’s most committed and generous supporters was created to acknowledge the power that an individual can make by supporting UNICEF’s lifesaving work and honors the legacy of UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador Audrey Hepburn —a passionate, tireless voice for children until her death in 1993. The society provides special recognition to those who give $10,000 or more annually, as well as opportunities for them to connect with one another and UNICEF’s work through volunteering, intimate program events, and visits to UNICEF field programs. “UNICEF’s leadership for women and UNICEF’s leadership for women and children means a lot to me. —Joyce Thibodeaux children means a lot to me,” says UNICEF supporter Joyce Thibodeaux. “As a mother and grandmother, I can empathize with women around the world who want a healthier, safer, and happier future for their children. Audrey Hepburn must have felt the same way. I deeply admire the legacy she left and am honored to be a founding member of the new Audrey Hepburn Society for the U.S. Fund for UNICEF.” As of February 24 in Fiscal Year 2012, 522 individuals have made gifts that qualify them for membership in the Audrey Hepburn Society. This growth was spurred by a matching fund that National and Regional Board members created in order to double qualifying gifts between November 1 and December 31. The average gift in this time frame increased by more than 50 percent over the previous year as donors took advantage of this opportunity. The generosity of these donors and the Board members who matched their contributions generated $2.8 million, signaling an auspicious start for the Audrey Hepburn Society in its inaugural year. The U.S. Fund is grateful for its donors’ compassion in striving to provide every child with a healthy future and for their commitment to UNICEF. We welcome all individuals who would like to join. Please contact Elizabeth de Velasco at 212922-2554 or [email protected]. For more information on the Society and Ms. Hepburn’s work with UNICEF, please visit unicefusa.org/ audreyhepburnsociety. Audrey Hepburn® — Trademark of Sean Ferrer and Luca Dotti. All Rights Reserved. PHOTO CREDITS Cover: UNICEF/NIGB2010-00448/Giacomo Pirozzi P1: UNICEF/NIGB2010-00448/Giacomo Pirozzi UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1152/Julien Harneis UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0643/Olivier Asselin U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Martin Dixon UNICEF/NYHQ1989-0478/John Isaac P2: UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0795/Marco Dormino UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1666/Warrick Page UNICEF/NYHQ2009-2056/Josh Estey P3: UNICEF Sierra Leone/2011/ Thomas UNICEF Sierra Leone 2011/ Thomas P4: UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1182/Kate Holt UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1205/Kate Holt UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1208/Siegfried Modola UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1034/Kate Holt P5: UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1279/Christine Nesbitt 16 U.S. Fund for UNICEF P6: P8: P9: P10: P11: UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1253/Jiro Oset UNICEF/NYHQ2011-1564/Tibebu Lemma UNICEF/NYHQ2007-1351/Giacomo Pirozzi UNICEF/NYHQ2010-1261/Josh Estey UNICEF/NYHQ2010-0201/Shehzad Noorani U.S. Fund for UNICEF/ Tim Wilkerson U.S. Fund for UNICEF/Julie Skarratt Courtesy of John Sciulli/Getty Images Left to right: Marco Dormino, Bill Brett, Julie Skarratt, UNICEF Sierra Leone/2011/Thomas, Casey Rotter/U.S. Fund for UNICEF, Elana Western/U.S. Fund for UNICEF UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0821/Jan Grarup UNICEF/INDA2011-00408/Niklas Halle’n UNICEF/NYHQ2008-1477/Christine Nesbitt UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0394/Olivier Asselin UNICEF/NYHQ2011-0193/Asad Zaidi UNICEF/NYHQ1992-1199/Betty Press P12: UNICEF/INDA2010-00208/Graham Crouch P14: Courtesy of Willow Shire UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1236/Giacomo Pirozzi UNICEF/NYHQ2009-1240/Giacomo Pirozzi P15: Courtesy of Carrie Rhodes UNICEF/NYHQ2007-2789/Palani Mohan P16: UNICEF/NYHQ1988-0194/John Isaac UNICEF/NYHQ1988-0191/John Isaac IBC: UNICEF/INDA2011-00191/Niklas Halle’n Courtesy of Jeff Rowe Envelope: UNICEF/LAOA2011-00048/Martha Tattersall The U.S. Fund for UNICEF “I was lucky to grow up in the United States. When I was a kid, I didn’t have to worry about where my next meal came from, or whether I would get a terrible disease, or whether I would be able to go to school. I put UNICEF in my will, because I want other children to get the same kind of chances I had. Supporting UNICEF is the best opportunity to make a lasting difference in the world. A charity also has to get good grades to get a donation from me. And UNICEF is an A-plus charity — I am confident the money I contribute is going to have the greatest impact.” Jeff Rowe, Danny Kaye Society Member Recognizing Those Who Have Invested in the Future of the World’s Children To learn more about how you can create a legacy of life for future generations of children, please contact Karen Metzger toll-free at (866) 486-4233, or visit our website: unicefusa.org/giftplanning. No child should die of a preventable cause. Every day 21,000 do. We believe that number should be zero. Believe in zero. The U.S. Fund for UNICEF has earned 7 consecutive 4-star ratings from Charity Navigator. Only 2% of charities evaluated by this trusted organization have received its highest ranking for at least 6 straight years. We meet all 20 of the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability. U.S. Fund for UNICEF 125 Maiden Lane, New York, NY 10038 1.800.FOR.KIDS unicefusa.org © 2012 U.S. Fund for UNICEF. All rights reserved.